Inaccessible Time Machine disk still accepting backups

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Level 1

17 points

Inaccessible Time Machine disk still accepting backups

Time Machine volume is not accessible but for some reason is accepting backups. I disconnected from the Airport I use with it and connected it directly. I see backups as recent as today but I can't see that disk as a destination (tmutil destinationinfo) and it doesn't show up in Time Machine settings.

tmutil destinationinfo
[REDACTIONS]
> ==================================================
Name          : backup3
Kind          : Network

The disk I am curious about is called backup1 and it isn't there.

It's great if there are backups there (I try to use multiple destinations) but not great if I can't get to them if I need them. This is what I get if I try to add that or any other disk.

How can I get this disk to reveal itself? I have no way of knowing how close it is to full unless I mount it. Will Time Machine complain about a disk it doesn't seem to know about?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Time Machine disk that has been used is no longer accessible (more in description)

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Jul 11, 2025 04:57 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

153,604 points

Jul 14, 2025 08:11 AM in response to pdb206

Are you asking about an external hard disk drive that had been accessible via your network, and that you are now connecting directly to your MacBook Air?

I understand that it was working fine until you decided to disconnect it from the network. What network device had it been connected to before?

Time Machine will definitely complain if you alter how a backup disk is connected — network vs. direct, including any change to that network.

Does it continue to appear and function for all purposes if you were to restore its previous connection?

I have no way of knowing how close it is to full unless I mount it.

Is that relevant, and if so, why?

Original Title: Time Machine disk that has been used is no longer accessible (more in description)

For what it's worth I think your original title was more descriptive. Retitling it made it confusing for me. Not your problem.

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